An Indian place just moved into one of the 16th Street Mall’s major food courts. Downtown vegetarians and lovers of Indian food, rejoice.
Saucy Bombay isn’t just another little sit-down place with a lunch buffet and candied fennel in a shallow copper dish by the cash register. It’s Indian fast food — cafeteria-style — and a great idea.
Here’s how it works. Pick a protein — steak, lamb, chicken, mixed vegetables, spiced garbanzo beans (the mixed vegetables and garbanzo beans are splendid, hence my shout-out to vegetarians, who so often are stuck with bland, cheese-heavy options). Then choose a sauce for the protein. The place offers spicy tikka masala, creamy spinach, a mild and rich korma, and a sauce made from yellow lentils. All of them are powerfully flavored and unique; I was partial to the tikka masala and the korma.
All of this is ladled over lightly spiced basmati rice.
Another option: Instead of having it served in a plate over rice, order it tucked into a wrap.
Another way to go? A grilled Indian wrap.
They have excellent samosas and a tasty fried-potato appetizer, too.
Get a mango lassi — a sweet drink made from mango juice, yogurt and more — or some chai, and be on your way for less than $10. Most of the entrees are $5.99.
Saucy Bombay is simple, and so smart. I hope more of them pop up around the city.
Douglas Brown: 303-954-1395 or djbrown@denverpost.com
Saucy Bombay
Indian. 370 17th St., No. 3800, in Republic Plaza food court, Denver. Lunch daily.
